Stocks flat…Cost of Ebola could top $32 billion…Chantix warnings debated

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are little changed in early trading on Wall Street as traders await this afternoon’s release of minutes from the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting last month. They’re also watching corporate earnings reports that are starting to come in. Yum Brands shares are rising after the owner of KFC and Pizza Hut earned slightly more than expected in the latest quarter. Monsanto fell after reporting results that missed analysts’ estimates.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The World Bank Group says the economic impact of the Ebola epidemic could reach $32.6 billion by the end of next year if the disease ravaging Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone spreads to neighboring countries. Even if it’s rapidly contained to the three hardest-hit countries, the World Bank report says the economic cost could top $9 billion. The World Health Organization estimates that Ebola has killed more than 3,400 people in West Africa and infected at least twice that many.

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s parliament has given preliminary approval to a bill granting compensation to those affected by Western sanctions. The bill also allows the government to seize the assets in Russia of countries that have imposed the sanctions. The bill was first proposed to parliament in April but withdrawn after being blasted in a government memo as being against international law and the Russian constitution.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Public safety advocates are asking the federal government to strengthen warnings on Pfizer’s anti-smoking drug Chantix. Five advocacy groups are petitioning the Food and Drug Administration saying the label should be expanded to include risks of blackouts, convulsions and other problems reported in some patients. The labels already warn about possible psychiatric problems including suicidal behavior. Pfizer is trying to get that warning removed, saying it has conducted several studies showing no link with suicidal behavior.

DETROIT (AP) — A company that makes after-market floor mats for General Motors pickup trucks and SUVs is recalling more than 45,000 of them because they can interfere with the gas pedal. Omix (AH’-mix) Ada of Suwannee, Georgia, says the recall covers Cabela’s Custom Fit, Line-X Truck Gear, Rugged Ridge All-Terrain and Tread Lightly mats. They can move forward unintentionally and stop the gas pedal from returning to the idle position. That can increase the risk of a crash.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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